William Brand

Welcome aboard. You must forgive the light welcome thus far, but many of our regulars are away at various events. Do enjoy your stay.

July 31, 1704 - Aboard the Navarra The conversation aboard the Navarra continued only as a matter of courses, for the subjects and turns of small talk seemed more connected with the various courses of food, than the company. The conversation was not unpleasant, but William and Dorian exchanged more than one guarded and questioning look, for the reason for their invitation to dinner did not become apparent for the first full hour that they were there on the Spanish ship. Still, the dinner and light conversation continued. When the fourth bell of Second Dog watch was come and gone, Capitán Avendano offered them each a glass of wine from that very region from which the ship herself drew her name, and with the last of the plates cleared, the first true silence fell across the table. During the pause, Miss Smith took to looking at the Lieutenant, who had shown as much disregard for her over dinner, as he had attention on the Watch Dog. She had arrived prepared to due verbal combat, exchanging and receiving questions in a duel of words, but he had said little over dinner. She was also surprised to find her jewelry and gown somewhat wasted, for he had looked at her very little. His personality seemed to be made of polar opposites, sometimes very gracious, and other times utterly removed. Even now she could see that his mind was elsewhere and she wasn't certain if she was glad of it or disappointed. "You have many women aboard your ship, Capitán." Capitán Avendano said all at once for no obvious or particular reason. 'Here it is at last.' William thought, for he had waited all evening for some searching question from the Spanish Captain. But in truth, it had not been a question, but a comment so casual that William was unsure how best to answer for a moment. He might have explained in great detail that many of the women aboard were equal to the men in experience, but he simply said, "Aye." "Do you find this...difficult?" Capitán Avendano asked, seemingly forgetting the presence of Miss Smith. "Not at all, Captain." William returned, his tone light and conversational. "Our Doctor, Miss Fitzgerald, has saved the lives of several of my crew, including myself." "You keep a woman doctor..." Ettore Tarín said with a raised eyebrow, but whether the Spanish Doctor meant this as a question or not, William still chose to answer him. "I do no keep her, but she does keep company with us." "And this...this...distraction?" Capitán Avendano asked, pressing the conversation forward with more curiosity than any subject spoken of before. "My people know their duties, sah." William stated simply. "They know what comes of mistakes." Dorian added. Capitán Avendano seemed to except this, but he moved to another question without hesitation. "And do these women fight?" William smiled, and was glad of the question. He was gladder still that Miss Smith should be there, for she was smiling a little too. "Capitán Avendano, you have the pleasure of sharing the company of one Tudor Smith, who, of her own accord, braved the quarterdeck of that great prize ship at anchor with the Watch Dog. It was she who struck the Dutch colors." "Indeed." said a surprised voice, but it was not the Captain who had spoken. The removed Lieutenant had returned to the conversation at all at once with an appraising look in Tudor's direction. "Indeed." William returned, and he raised his glass in a subtle, silent gesture of toast before drinking. Dorian did the same opposite the Steward. It was the only time that night that Tudor lowered her eyes, still smiling. First Bell of First Watch ~Starboard Watches on Duty~

Ah the silence of a secret keeper. Honorable. Loyal. Breakable! Fetch me some hot irons and a bucket of ice water! I'm kidding. Wine?

I think you have the attention of the entire room, Miss Flint.

There are rivers and bays of fresh water used for that very purpose today, but careening was also necessary for the means of caulking the seams and repairing rotten wood. The requirement of aging.

Shots of really awful alcohol. Oh wait...it's DayQuil.

Worn out. I had a very long and busy day. My projects were constantly interupted. I finally get out the door tonight to pick up an external harddrive, which I desperately need for memory and backup. I drive clear across town to Best Buy, only to learn that the drive I wanted had gone up in price $60. Then, a ray of sunshine. The manager discounts it for me, lowering it back to the sale price. I write out a check and then I realize that I don't have any I.D. on me...so I drive all the way back home with no drive. Nada. Zilch. Zippo.

Callenish Gunner. Check. Hugh and I spoke about Pirates in Paradise mostly, especially touching on such subjects as black powder safety and the regulation of weapons at the event. We also spoke about everything from pirate festivals to music and back again. Harry Silkie Red Cat Jenny Dorian Lasseter Black Syren Red-Handed Jill Maeve Jim Hawkins Kass Ol Man From the Sea CrazyCholeBlack Captain P.E.W. Callenish Gunner

These are the latest updates. Fort funding, repairs and encampments... The funding which was to provide Fort Zachary Taylor with the means to repair the fort barracks has been siphoned off for other purposes in the state. They will not be receiving the large sum of money for those repairs, so there will be no large scale construction at the fort during the Pirate festival. As a consequence the fort will be occupied by at least one encampment as mentioned by Robb in the thread entitled "1680 Port Royal, Buccaneer Encampment". See below. As far as the remaining camps go, the 1720 Mercury Careening Encampment will be in the trees South and East of the fort as we have planned since the beginning. Some of the sutlers have already expressed their desire to remain near the careening encampment outside the fort. Harry would like to place the Red Coat camp inside the fort as a garrison for the fort during battles and the festival, so I need to know if the Archangel crew plans on camping inside the fort. Volunteer forms... Volunteer forms must be individually filled out for every person attending for insurance purposes. Sutlers and pirates alike. Couples cannot fill out a solitary form, they must both fill out separate forms. Small boat repair day... Harry is more than willing to buy the necessary supplies to fix the small boat. He would like to know who is available. Please send me your name and number if you would like to participate in an upcoming repair day for the boat. Corporate Funding It was previously stated that Gieco Insurance was helping as a sponsor for the festival. They have withdrawn their support, citing that we are too small for their consideration.

Niiice. And yes, my bright copper years are behind me.

The white in my beard stems from an excess of years, not dairy products.

We eat with a fork where I come from, you cottage cheese chugger.

Don't knock it. I have a foothold in several countries already.

July 31, 1704 - Aboard the Navarra Lieutenant De la Cruz stepped forward with the snap and grace of one rehearsed in the arts of court and protocol. He removed his hat and gestured to the man at his left in one fluid motion and said, "Capitán Brand, Capitán Lasseter, and Miss Smith...it is my pleasure to introduce to you my master and Capitán, Eustaquio Alano Avendano." Dorian and William removed their hats in a short, mirrored gesture intoning the name back again, adding their greetings in return. Then William gestured to his companions, "Allow me to introduce to you my trusted Steward, Miss Tudor Smith." Bows passed once again between them and their hosts and William turned to Dorian. "...and Captain Dorian Lasseter of the cutter Heron and Quartermaster of our Whole Company." Capitán Avendano introduced the lieutenant already acquainted with Miss Smith and then one Ettore Tarín, a Doctor and a shareholder of the Navarra. With these pleasantries accomplished, they were invited below to a spacious room so well prepared with food and drink that it might have been removed from the Don's estate some week's past. It was boarded by hangings and a serving man behind every chair. Capitán Avendano moved to a chair at the head of the table with the Doctor on his right and the Lieutenant on his right. Captains Brand and Lasseter were asked to sit on the Larboard side of the table, with Miss Smith between them so that she sat facing Lieutenant De La Cruz, an arrangement that brought a subtle smile from William and the tiniest of coughs from Dorian. Tudor, however, looked quite delighted to sit opposite the man for reasons more tactical than social. Already she was memorizing all around her. William too was making note of their surroundings. He first noted that of all the men he had seen aboard so far, Dorian was the tallest. He towered over many of the able seamen they had passed. He was taller than the servants about the table. Indeed, Capitán Avendano was almost a full foot shorter than Dorian and even the Lieutenant was not so tall as William himself. As for their surroundings, there could be no mistaking the Spanish origin of every object and decoration within the place. The plates, cups, bowls, utensils, candlesticks, chairs, draperies and every other thing was so decidedly Spanish that the place seemed to paint a Catholic veneer over their French anchorage almost absolutely. Capitán Avendano only added to this with his strong, pronounced accent when he raised his glass and welcomed his guests to dine.

July 31, 1704 - Aboard the Heron "Our own Miss Smith come to join us." William remarked aloud, then added. "She means to spy on the Spanish this evening." "Spy on th' Spani..." "The Lieutenant who came bearing tonight's invitation, one De la Cruz, he...troubled our Miss Smith." William said by way of explanation. "Ahh." Dorian returned, squinting towards the longboat. "Did he now?" They both watched the longboat on approach and even in the boat she primped. William smiled to see her out of her usual element, for he was far more accustomed to her in slops and shirts anymore. "You reminded her we are allied with th' Spaniards..." Dorian asked, though he thought he knew the answer. "Indeed." The longboat swung along side and both men made as if to go over. William stepped up to the rail first and as he went over and down he looked up and smiled. "Perhaps the lieutenant is too fair of face." he whispered up to Dorian as he descended. Second bell of Second Dog Watch ~Starboard Watches on Duty~

July 31, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Tudor Smith arrived at the Watch Dog with her parcels and her thoughts, and learned at once of the Captain's departure to the Heron. She ran to the privacy of the Ward Room and changed into her finery for the evening, rushing enough to be available, but plodding enough to primp. She thrice checked herself in the mirror and thrice considered a secreted pistol, but bound as she was, she found no place for it. Once on deck again she looked about for the officer of the deck and found Jim Warren at the galley. "You'll be crossing to the Heron then, Miss Smith?" "Aye, sah." "Mind you drink and eat after the Spanish begin, Miss Smith." "Aye." she agreed, heartily. "Mister Morrell! Mister McGinty! You will stand by the longboat to bear the Captain's Steward to the Heron, if you please!"

July 31, 1704 - The Cul du Sac Royal The longboat crew was not fifty yards from shore when Miss Smith hailed them back again. They came about and returned to the docks to find a Steward burdened with parcels. Patrick helped her down into the boat and she settled herself among them, ignoring the many smiles they gave her, for it was fast becoming a joke among the men that only the captains and the women ever returned to the ship so heavy laden. As they rowed again to the Watch Dog, Louis Morrell turned to Miss Smith and asked, "Are them more skirts fer Mister Press's shirts?" There were several chuckles at this, for it was widely known below decks that Tudor had once made Harold Press a fine shirt of one of her old dresses. Harold had not flaunted this fact, but the idea that an able seaman should wear a ladies skirts for working sleeves had so amused some of the other men, that he could never wear it without them jeering him for it. "Mind your rowing, Mister Morrell." she returned, shaking her head. "Three days ashore and no new jokes...?" she added. Patrick snorted and Louis nodded with a smirk, unable for the moment to find a well turned comeback. When he did finally open his mouth to speak again she cut him off, saying, "You may purchase and then piss away your profits from our ventures, gentlemen, but I shall only add to mine." This caused no small uproar of appreciative remarks, for the men admired a good jab, even at their own expense. They were soon laughing as they rowed, returning from time to time to the subject of 'pissing away profits'. Even Tudor laughed a little, hard pressed not to. She only sobered again when they passed within a stone's throw of the Navarra. She was quiet from there to the 'Dog.

Wild Weavery makes good straps for haversacks, and I agree with Patrick. Wider straps. You don't want them digging into you shoulder during the day. Those are very handsome haversacks for 'practice'. Beautiful work. http://wildeweavery.com/

July 31, 1704 - The Cul du Sac Royal William and Dorian continued to discuss new recruits aboard the Heron. Dorian spoke of Jack and Adam and William's remarks fell on Jean and Luc. They spoke of everything from coxswains to cooks and back again, eventually taking their discussion to the weatherdecks in order to examine the newly placed guns. Then, what started as a short walk in the open air became a tour of the Heron from stem to stern, above and below. When they reached the area which served as a galley they found a bewildered looking Callie trying to pass herself off as a ship's cook. William thought of Tjaak Cuylemburch aboard the Maastricht then, but decided to mention him at a later time. . . . Back aboard the Watch Dog, the longboat crew was put to task, this time transporting the two marines and the powder monkeys across to the Maastricht before ferrying Alder and Robert ashore for the night. By the time they made landfall the First Dog Watch was nearly over. The longboat crew lingered for a time at the docks to rest themselves before rowing back again. In the interim they purchased the last of the unsold bread from a street peddler and bought two well fattened chickens to take with them to the 'Dog. It was while here that they chanced to strike up a conversation with a Paul de Lannel, a dockside laborer who delighted in the news of the Watch Dog and her need for able seaman. Monsieur Lannel proved to be an amiable fellow, quick to laugh and honest enough to admit that he had little experience at sea. Still, his English proved to be passable, and while he could answer few of the questions put to him in regards to the duties of an able seamen, he promised to learn quickly and he looked strong enough for the work. In the end the longboat crew promised to make him known to the Captains. He cemented their promises by fetching each of them a drink from a nearby alehouse. They were surprised and doubly devoted to his recruitment by the time they returned to their oars. 4 bells of First Dog Watch Second Dog Watch Begins ~Starboard Watches on Duty~

Eating cottage cheese and plotting the overthrow of the Earth.

July 31, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog John Mcginty and Jerrod Styles returned to the 'Dog shortly after the others and much sooner than expected. Jim Warren caused the two men to draw lots the moment they arrived for the purpose of sending one of them back again along with Paul Mooney, there to guard the Masstricht through the last night that she lay under their charge. Jerrod drew the lot which was to send him back again, and he and Paul were hustled to the head of the line forming at the galley so that they could return at once. While they ate, Jean Dorleac begged Mister Warren the boon of going aboard the Maastricht with the marines. He was anxious to show the prize ship to Pierre, who looked anxious to see it also. "If you wish to remain on the 'Dog during your leave, that is your business, Mister Dorleac, but the Maastricht is property of different nature." Mister Warren explained, and Jean excepted this at once, thanking the Coxswain. Jim was so pleased to see Jean acquiesce to command authority without question, that he could not help smiling. "You may take Pierre to the fluyt until the end of Second Dog Watch. Then you must return forthwith." "Aye, aye, sah." Jean returned, saluting, and he elbowed Pierre. Pierre snapped off a similar salute just before Jean dragged him away. 2 bells of First Dog Watch ~Starboard Watches on Duty~

Aye. There is modern camping North and East of the pirate camps.

I will except staunch, vocal declarations as confirmation. Just remember, failure to show up after oaths, vows, chest-thumping, blood pacts and exaggerated verbal proclamations may result in post-PIP ridicule. So be warned.

It all becomes a question of semantics. Is a ship's surgeon's kit portable? Yes. By definition. The ship is portable. The large wooden box which carries all the bottled medicines is portable. The small leather satchels and instrument cases bearing surgical instruments are portable. The question you're asking, here and in twill, is this... Would a haversack be appropriate for carrying a few small items for a Doctor ashore? Yes. That is what a haversack is for. You are looking for something 'compact'. The word portable is too broad a term. The large box is portable, but you want something small, lightweight and 'convenient'. If a Doctor had to go ashore in the short term, then a haversack is a reasonable carrying case for a few necessary tools and small medicine bottles. It is period, lightweight and convenient.

July 31, 1704 - Aboard the Heron First bell of First Dog Watch William watched him pacing, glad to see someone else mark the short distance of a Ward Room for a change. Then he began offering his own ideas aloud. "You have Weers for a Coxswain or Coxswain's Mate, once you know what to do with Nigel." "Aye." Dorian agreed. "Or a helmsmen at the very least." William added. "He's a strong lad." They both nodded and William continued. "You might have Mister Wenge again, should the prison bear fruit. He knows the Heron...excuse me...He knows the ship yet to be named much better than the 'Dog." "He does. Aye." William was quiet a moment, but then he narrowed his eyes and looked up at once. "You don't mean to ask for Eric Franklin as well...?"